Kuih Kodok (Malaysian Mashed Banana Fritters)

Peel the bananas and place them in a large bowl. If you're in Malaysia, use pisang awak (short Malaysian bananas) for the most authentic flavor.

Mash the bananas with the back of a fork until small chunks remain — don't purée completely, a few chunky bits give the fritters better texture.

Add the flour to the mashed banana.

Crack in the egg. This is an untraditional addition (the recipe author's late mother's touch) that makes the fritters extra soft — omit it if you want a more traditional Malay-style kuih kodok.

Add the sugar, adjusting the amount to taste.

Mix everything together well to form a thick, chunky batter.

Heat a frying pan with enough oil for deep-frying.

Once the oil is hot, drop a spoonful of batter into the pan, shaping each portion into a somewhat round fritter.

Deep-fry the fritters, turning as needed, until golden brown on all sides.

Remove the fritters with a strainer and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Serve the kuih kodok warm — at about 157 calories per serving, they make a light, comforting snack.